shut up brain

I was at the Lincoln Steakhouse last night, sipping a cocktail with a handful of patrons who had decided to have dinner at the bar, when I noticed an attractive woman a few stools down, sitting alongside a grizzled soldier. Actually, what I noticed first was a platter of macaroni and cheese, which the attractive woman appeared to be in no hurry to eat. I had skipped breakfast, the flight to Phoenix was in the middle of the day, and there had been no time for lunch after I arrived. So, there I was at 7:pm, coveting a pretty girl’s mac and cheese in one of Arizona’s great watering holes, when the grizzled soldier next to her stood up and walked toward me. I glanced at his cap and said, “Looks like that lid’s seen some action.” “You know it,” he said. “Army?” I asked. “Marine,” he said. “Really? I thought the 2nd Infantry was Army?” “It is. But we work together every now and then.” “Well, thanks for your service,” I said. “And pardon me for staring, but the mac and cheese caught my eye.” The Marine turned to his date and said, “Nicole, you gonna eat all that? This fella’s hungry.” Nicole slid her leftovers down the bar, which I appreciated. Then, the Marine introduced himself. “I’m Mark Day,” he said. “And I’d like you to have this.” Mark handed me a beer koozie in the shape of an American flag. “I hand a few of these out every day to my brothers and sisters who were over there with me. It’s a way to remember those people who didn’t make it back.” “Well thanks,” I said. “But I can’t accept this. I didn’t serve, and I was never over there.” “Oh, you were there,” he said. “Used to watch your show all the time. We all appreciate what you do for the military.” Hard to know what to say in a moment like that, especially with a mouth full of his girlfriend’s noodles, so I just said thanks, and promised to put the koozie to good use. Over the next minute or so, I learned that Mark Day had come from a long line of Marines and seen some difficult things while in uniform. I also learned that he had come to view his own service as the great privilege of his life. “I love this country,” he said. “I love it so much. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the ones who didn’t make it home. Handing out these koozies is a way to keep them in my thoughts.” “I understand,” I said. “At least, I think I do.” “Well then maybe you’d like to hand out a few with my regards,” he said. “You probably run into lots of folks just being you.” “You know it,” I said. Over the next 24-hours, I knew I’d be shaking hands with hundreds of people at The Barrett Jackson Auction - many of whom served. “Sure,” I said. “I’ll take whatever you want to give me.” Mark Day smiled and handed me four more flag koozies, along with a challenge coin from the 2nd infantry which I appreciated – even more than the mac and cheese. So, if you’re at The @Barrett_Jackson Auction today, when the mikeroweWORKS Power Wagon will be auctioned off at 3:30pm, and you’d like an American Flag Beer Koozie to remind you of those who didn’t make it home, just ask. I have three that I’m willing to part with. First come first served. Mike